At issue in one case is a decision from the FCC's International Bureau to grant approval to a company called Spectrum Five for DBS service to U.S. consumers from two Netherlands-authorized satellites. Also, the bureau granted EchoStar authority to construct a satellite to provide DBS service into the United States from the 86.5-degree orbital location.

EchoStar's application drew opposition from Telesat and Bell ExpressVu. Telesat is the Canadian-licensed operator of DBS satellites at 91 degrees and 82 degrees, and Bell ExpressVu utilizes those locations for its service. In its filings at the FCC, Telesat fretted about interference that the EchoStar satellite could create for its services.

As for Spectrum Five, the company was granted authorization to provide DBS service from 114.5 degrees. SES AMERICOM, EchoStar and DIRECTV filed oppositions to the entity's proposals, with concerns ranging from adequate spacing between satellites and potential interference to whether the agency adequately evaluated Spectrum Five's qualifications for providing service.